The Irish Question.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 70, 24 March 1887, Page 2

The Irish Question.

Fearvul apparently, that tho growing rapprochement between Mr Gladstone and the Unionist Liberals would lead to a Bpoedy healing of tbo differences that split the party, the English Tories havo determined upon a move which is calculated to koop up the dissension. The Government have announced their Irieh policy and ttaked their existence upon it. The debate has boon started, and there are already indications that the Gladstonite Liberals and Homo li'ulera will stand alone

in opposing tho Government policy. They havo no choico but to oppopo it, but it is hard to sco any ground upon which Mr Chamberlain can support the Government. AD that the Ministry promise to do is to pass a new "coorcion" law and allow somo concessions to tenants by a Land Bill, which, with a delicately Ironical hint of its probable nature,will, wo are told, bo first introduced in tho Houso of Lords. Tho proposal to grant a measuro of Local Government has apparently been thrown overboard. Mr Chamberlain, who is an advecato for granting local autonomy to Ireland, will surely not support the Tories in their iniquitous attempt to postpone indofiaitoly tho settlement of the Irieh difficulty.

Having secured tho passing of tho new "Cloture" rules, tho Govornmont hnvo evidently made up thoir minds that they can force their obnoxious policy through the House. But they muet remember that they havo not t^ow to deal. with a miserable Irish faction or a contemptiblo minority of tho Houso of Commons ; but with tho most powerful and able section of the Liberal party, lod by n most astuto Parliamentary tactician, and carrying with it the sympathies of a very largo portion of tho British public. Tho strugglo which has just commencod will therefore provo to be one of the most exciting in English constitutional history.

Tho olFonaive fashion in which tho Tory party challongo tho verdict of the country proves them to bo confidont of victory, and they doubtless calculate upon tho "Jubiloe" humbug helping iham to carry through a policy which thoy will take caro to parado as "loyal "and "patriotic." Thoy insist upon precedence being givon to tho Grimes Bill, and thus betray their old aud fatal preference for coercion rathor than conciliation. On this question of form - whothor tho Crimes Bill or tho Land Bill shall havo precodenco - tho first division in this important debate will soon toko placo ; but that will bo but a preliminary toat vote, which tho Government will probably carry. The grand struggle will tako placo on tho merita of the Government measures, and tho Liberals and Homo Rulers may bo doponded upon to make a sploudid iight for justice, liberty, and gonerosity tv Ireland.